Suicide Fact Sheet

Statistics:

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States

• One in ten deaths is by suicide

• In 2019, 47,511 Americans died by suicide and 1,287 Coloradans

• In 2019, there was an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts

• 2019 was the highest ever recorded suicide deaths in Colorado

• Colorado has one of the 10 highest suicide rates in the nation

Warning Signs and Symptoms:

·      Talking about wanting to die or killing oneself

·      Researching ways to kill oneself

·      Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose

·      Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain

·      Talking about being a burden to others

·      Increasing the use of substances

·      Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless

·      Sleeping too little or much

·      Withdrawing or isolating

·      Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

·      Displaying extreme mood swings

Risk Factors:

·      Living with a mental health disorder such as a mood disorder or personality disorder

·      Living with a substance use disorder

·      Hopelessness

·      History of trauma or abuse

·      Impulsive or aggressive tendencies

·      Chronic Illness, Injury, or Disability

·      Family history of suicide

·      Previous suicide attempt

·      Recent loss of a relationship

·      Recent loss of financial means or employment

·      Easy access to lethal means

·      Local clusters of suicide or exposure to others who have died by suicide

·      Lack of social support or sense of isolation

·      Stigma associated with asking for help

·      Lack of access to health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment

·      Cultural and religious beliefs, such s the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

·      Societal conditions, including inequities, discrimination, oppression, and historical trauma

Risk factors can vary across groups for instance the stress resulting from family rejection, bullying, and violence is a known risk factor for suicide attempts amongst LGBTQIA youth; the historical trauma of colonization contributes to high rates of suicide in the American Indians and Alaska Natives populations; and for men in the middle years, stressors that challenge traditional male roles, such as unemployment and divorce, have been identified as important risk factors.

Protective Factors:

·      Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance use disorders

·      Access to clinical interventions, one example is access to crisis center’s

·      Restricted access to lethal means of suicide

·      Connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions

·      Support through on-going medical and mental health care relationships

·      Life skills such as problem-solving sills, conflict resolution, skills, and emotion regulation skills

·      Social justice or community care such as economic support, assistance with parenting skills, access to help in times of need

·      Cultural spiritual and religious support that promote self-preservation and wellness and discourage suicide in a non-shameful way

·      Sense of purpose and meaning in life, sense of hope and self-esteem

USA National Suicide Hotlines

Call: 988

Colorado Crisis Services

1-844-493-TALK (8255)

How Sanare Colorado can help:

Sanare PSR staff can help folks living with a variety of symptoms including suicide history or suicide ideational to stabilize in the community. Our staff can assist people with coordination of care, connecting with resources, and building and maintaining vital social connections.

Additionally, we can provide psycho-social education to clients and their families about ways to cope with these symptoms, what to look out for, and what level of care might be appropriate to aid in suicide prevention. All our services are focused on the goal of helping people manage to live healthy, purposeful, and connected lives.